TOKYO: Tokyo stocks opened 0.35 percent lower on Thursday after US shares fell on speculation the Federal Reserve could start cutting back its bond purchases earlier than expected.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was down 53.41 points to 15,354.53 at the start.

US stocks Wednesday ended mostly lower after markets weighed a stream of generally solid economic data ahead of Friday's big jobs report.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.16 percent to close at 15,889.77.

Strong jobs data could reinforce speculation that the Fed would begin to taper its $85 billion-a-month asset-purchase programme this year.

The dollar was at 102.31 yen early Thursday compared with 102.32 yen in New York Wednesday afternoon.

The euro bought $1.3586 and 139.02 yen against $1.3591 and 139.06 yen.